Scots have been warned to safeguard themselves over sextually transmitted infections (STIs) due to the troubling new dating trend of “snowmanning”.
The sexual winter trend could leave people at risk of catching STIs such as syphilis, herpes and gonorrhoea, one doctor has warned, reports the Mirror. Dating website experts at eHarmony first coined the term “snowmanning” in 2019 – but now doctors have warned that you could end up with more than hurt feelings.
“Christmas is a time for celebration and presents a great opportunity to socialize and find someone special,” Rachael Lloyd, relationship expert at eHarmony, said. “However, once the drinks stop flowing and decorations come down, sometimes that initial burst of chemistry wears off. Our research shows that lots of people then retreat from their new relationships, a trend we are coining ‘snowmanning’.”
Daters most likely to be “snowmanned” are those between 18 and 34 years old, or living in Plymouth, Brighton or Newcastle, the research showed. The term came about after social media users described their festive flings melting away like a snowman as the weather gets warmer following the Christmas period. While you may be comfortable saying goodbye to your festive fling, they may have left you with an unwanted present of their own in the form of an STI.
STIs can be more of an issue for short-term flings as, if contact details aren’t exchanged, it can be hard to let your partner know if you start experiencing worrying symptoms, or vice versa, Dr. Crystal Wyllie, a GP at Asda Online Doctor warned.
“December is a time of celebration and connection, but it’s important to stay informed about sexual health,” Wyllie told the Daily Mail. “Planning ahead with contraception, or accessing support after unplanned sexual activity, is key to enjoying the festive season while staying safe.”
After dipping during the Covid-19 pandemic, rates of STIs in the UK are on the rise. There has been an increase of 4.7 percent in diagnosed STIs in 2023 over 2022. Gonorrhoea diagnoses increased 7.5 percent in the same time period, while syphilis diagnoses increased 9.4 percent and chlamydia diagnoses remained stable, all according to government figures published in July.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond.Sign up to our daily newsletter.